Linda Kruesel

Linda M. Kruesel, age 67, longtime owner of the Corner Bar in Waterville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato after recently being diagnosed with cancer.    A Celebration of Life will be held on Linda's Birthday on Friday, December 23, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gilligan's Restaurant (700 Paquin St. E.) in Waterville.     Arrangements are being completed by the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca.    Linda Mae Salentini, the daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Gengler) Salentini, was born on December 23, 1943 in Remsen, Iowa. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class of 1961 in Clarissa, MN, she moved to Minneapolis. Linda worked in the investment department of Northwestern National Bank and as an Executive Assistant to Tad Piper and Glenn Perkins at Piper, Jaffray and Company in Minneapolis. On October 10, 1970, Linda was united in marriage to Roger Kruesel. In 1979, Linda and Roger became owners of the Corner Bar in Waterville. She later worked in conciliation court in Hennepin and Waseca Counties, later retiring in 2008. Linda believed life should be filled with love, laughter and good times. She enjoyed socializing, listening to music, reading, cooking and spending time with her family, including her "adopted children." She was caring, wise and loved by many.    She is survived by her daughter, Tanya Kruesel of Waterville; her former husband Roger (Jeanne Brown) Kruesel of Faribault; sisters Carol (Gordon) Decker of Minneapolis and Diane (Norm) Olson of Bloomington; sister-in-law, Darlene Salentine of Chaska and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.    She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul Salentine and by her sister Marian Ludwig.